Handmade Birthday Cake Greeting card for 5th Birthday

Recently we celebrated my daughter's 5th Birthday. The moment this new year started she was all about reverse counting the number of days left for her birthday. I guess its like this for every 5 year old. Every time she goes for her friend's birthday party I make sure that she makes a card. She was complaining the other day that "I make card for everyone but most of my friends buy the card and send it. No one really takes the trouble to make it." She is right,except couple of her friends no one really makes it. Personally, I feel that making card for someone you care about is one of those gestures that express your sentiments at a whole different level. If you cannot make it, even then if you buy a handmade card it definitely tells that you took the time and made the effort to give a special card.

 I promised myself that this time I will make a unique card for her birthday. Just to inspire her and also for her to feel that mom cares and makes card for me too. Can you believe, I made it at the day of party as I was running out of time. With a new baby at home it is hard to find time. She was about to wake up and my husband tells me to drop everything and finish wrapping the gift and make the card. There is nothing more important than that. Trust me, I did what he said and ya, I agree, there was nothing more important than that.

So here it is, the card that I made for our daughter. Both of us (mom and dad) ended up writing inside in such a way that she could read. She is learning to read right now and getting better day by day.  

Supplies needed:
- Blank card
- Envelope
- Card stock yellow, red and polka dots
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Colored Pens and pencils
 This is a kind of a 3D card you might say. The base is like a step cut-out and then there are individual strips with corners scored with a bone folder so that it looks 3d.

Decorate it with colored pens and pencils. Write the message and give it to your loved one. I guess the rest is self explanatory. If you have any questions about how I made it, feel free to ask. Didn't get a chance to take the picture while making it.

 PS.She loved the card and says I can't believe it mommy you made such a lovely card for me. She was happy that both of us wrote.

Fun Balloon Critters Craft for kids

Recently, we had loads of fun making these Fun Balloon Critters. I mean really, this is one of those times when you suddenly come up with an idea and let the on the spot creativity do the rest of the work.

My niece who is about 4.5 yrs old was here at our home and her parents had to go shopping. I was baby sitting her and my daughter who is 3 yrs old. Both of them wanted to do some fun craft. When they want something fun it has to be really fun and that too immediate. I was running out of ideas. I had a lot of balloons in our house, thanks to my daughter's birthday party.
So, in order to make a creative use of these balloons we finally agreed on Fun balloon crafts.



These critters that you see in the picture are purely 100% their imagination. They kept telling me what kind of shapes and features they want and I was cutting them using colored peel and stick foam sheets.



I was so amazed by their imagination. What followed was more and more Fun Balloon Critters and hours of fun. Naming the balloons (eg the ones here are Spongi bobi the one with rectangle eyes, blue witch, teethy girlie monster,bunny rabbity), Balloon fights, critter stories, pretend play. You name it and they were doing it.

Supplies:
- Balloons
- Peel and stick foam sheets
- Scissors

Let your kids use your imagination and have fun doing this easy and unique craft.

Tips:
-This is a wonderful activity for a Playdate or for a Birthday Party.
-Have some extra supplies as when the balloons blow out while playing, you need to motivate them to make new ones and play again.
- You can also used pre-cut foam stickers if you want to avoid use of scissors. Advantage is that you do not have to supervise much but then that limits a child's imagination to the availability of sticker shapes.

Party Decoration Craft Paper Pom Poms

Last few weeks were really busy. We made a lot of crafts. It is just that there was little time to post. Had been busy crafting and cooking. It was my daughter's birthday. Yay, she is 3 now. Really enjoying the terrific 3, most of the times(I do have my meltdown times and she has hers).
Well, to begin with I thought let me share the craft which is really easy, quick, doable, budget friendly and beautiful at the same time. This paper pom pom craft, when done in a group of 5,6 or more really sets the mood of the party. Be it a birthday party or Valentine's day party or any other party for that matter. Unique, easy and quick Party decorations are so much fun to make.They definitely make the space lively.

Supplies you will need for one pom pom:

-Tissue paper: 6 sheets of one color (20x20)
-Cloth wrapped wire or long wire ties : 1
-Scissors
- Fish line or any transparent thread







Refer the above pictures. You might not need to read the instructions below. I made these in three colors. Was really tied up and had to make these. Could not take pictures of all stages in same color but you will get an idea of what needs to be done.

1.Take the 6 sheets of the tissue paper, align them and cut in the middle.
Now you have 12 sheets of paper.
2.Fold them in about 1 inch or 3/4 inch accordion folds.
3.Tie them in the center as in the picture, using the wire. Make sure you secure
them well.
4.Attach the fish line to the wire. Decide on the length based on how much you need
for the display.
5.Cut the ends of the tissue paper to give a flary effect. You can make it pointed
or scalloped.
6.Now open the sheets one by one in such a way that when all is open you have a full
round or sphere.

Have fun.


Tip: Decide the color based on the theme of your party. For example,shades of Pink for a girl's birthday party.

I chose pink, white and blue for a Princess birthday party for my little girl.(Blue because she wanted, Cindrella's dress. Though I could not get the same shade, you can get one if you plan a little early).

While opening you might try to open one sheet on top and one at bottom and repeating till all the sheets are open.

Make your own Paper Cups for snacks

This summer, the craft that I found the most interesting, cute and useful is the origami paper cups. They are great for mini snacks like pop corn, god fish crackers, chips or even grapes. The size of the paper cup is perfect for little hands. Best part is you can make it quickly and it takes less space too. Also, if you forgot to bring bowls it comes handy too and kids have great fun eating from sothing different and colorful.
With its success in few of the get togethers I had during last few outdoor gatherings and on popular demand I am finally posting the instructions of creating these cute paper cups or paper pockets here.

Supplies:

-Square origami paper 6 inch or 8 inch or A4 sheet paper preferably colored for added attraction

Following these simple instructions you can create these wonderful paper cups.
1. Take the square paper and fold it in half diagonally. You will get a triangle as a result. Crease or score using your finger or a bone tool.See step 1,1a in the picture above.

2. Hold the left corner and try to bring it to the mid-point of the edge of the right side of the triangle. Crease or score using your finger or a bone tool.See step 2 in the picture above.

3. Now hold the right corner and try to bring it to the mid-point of the edge of the left side of the triangle.Crease or score using your finger or a bone tool. See step 3 in the picture above.

4. At the top you will get a open flap with two traingles. Hold the upper triangle and fold it towards you. Crease. Repeat on the other side. Refer steps 4 and 5.

Your Paper cup is ready to be used. Put some snacks and have fun. Little bigger kids can make these themselves too.It will be even more fun in that way. Simply take some square papers with you in your next barbeque party or beach party and let kids make their own paper cups. Of course you will have to show to make one.


Tips:

-Make multiples and in different colors and keep it in diaper bag of your kid.
You will have a clean surface and your kid will have so much fun everytime.
-To make it recyclable craft use old magazines.
-You can make them little larger for adults too. Use Parchment paper or Aluminium foil whichever comes handy.
- Personalise by writing kids names with a marker.
-Can use in birthday parties too.

Keepsake foam box with foam stickers

Decorating Foam boxes with stickers is fun for kids. Even toddlers can do these simple projects.
Recently I found a foam box which can be used as a keepsake box, a bangle box , color box or simply a pencil case. This was merely $1 at Joann. You can find it or something similar to this in any craft store.
The stickers I used are Creative Hands Daisy sparkle 3D stickers. This is also available in various varieties in craft stores or online Amazon.com

Supplies needed

- Foam box (as shown in the picture above)
- Daisy Stickers contrasting color (Creative hands Daisy sparkle 3d)

For this project first decorate the top lid of the box. Give your child the stickers they want on their keepsake box. Involving the child will make this extra special.
To make the one shown in the picture above, follow the step-wise instructions as marked.
This might require a little guidance for the toddler. Help your toddler to first peel off the biggest size daisy that will fit the top of the box and then hand over the ones little smaller in size.
To complete the project follow the set of pictures below.





This is what I created with my toddler. You can see her peeling off stickers on her own and sticking them. I was telling her to pick the big one first and so on. She is so happy that she completed this whole project herself.
I was surprised to see that toddlers are smart enough to do this. Moreover, she keeps showing this to all her friends that she made this herself. Making crafts is a great way to help kids feel a sense of satisfaction and achievement.

Tips: It is a good idea to buy stickers in different varieties especially when they are in sale.

Let your child create on his own if he wishes to. However, if you help your child understand what you want him to do by showing him how to create one, it develops the much needed skill of following instructions. Either way it helps the child learn something and have satisfaction of creating something on his own.
This is a great idea for activities at a birthday party or play date.